NAPERVILLE CENTRAL SETS SOCCER SIGHTS

Jack McCarthyCHICAGO TRIBUNE

Naperville Central hopes to be host and contender at this spring's state girls soccer finals.

The Redhawks, set to host soccer's Elite Eight in early June, could be among the finalists with a group of seven returning starters led by senior midfielder Ashley Caselli and junior forward Julie Thompson.

"If our goalkeeping is steady, we should be tough to beat," said Central coach Ed Watson.

Central was 14-7-4 last spring and is ranked No. 10 in the Tribune's preseason rankings.

One of Naperville Central's biggest challenges will be in its own DuPage Valley Conference, with defending champion Wheaton-Warrenville South ranked No. 2 among the Chicago area's top teams.

Naperville North: The Huskies (16-5-5, 5-2 DuPage Valley) got to within a game of the state finals last spring, losing 3-2 in overtime to Lyons Township. North returns a sound defense, including sophomores Tiffany Dunbar, Becky Martinez and Rachel Sauerman and senior Becky Ellis. The midfield also looks solid, anchored by senior Erika Baker.

Neuqua Valley: Second-year head coach Dawn Maramba has a young, but deep group that includes seven returning starters from a team that went 14-5-1, 5-2 in the Upstate Eight and reached the postseason sectional finals. Junior Grace Traynor is rated among the Chicago area's best on defense.